Photo and Video Chronology — Kīlauea gravity survey and summit webcam maintenance

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory May 13, 2024

On May 8, 2024, HVO staff conducted a gravity survey around Kaluapele and on May 10, HVO staff conducted maintenance on the F1cam at the summit.

May 10, 2024 — Maintenance on Kīlauea summit thermal camera

Color photograph of scientists conducting maintenance on camera — On May 10, HVO staff performed maintenance on the F1cam, the thermal camera at the summit of Kīlauea. Images taken by the camera, which can be viewed here—https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/f1cam-halemaumau-thermal-image-west-rim-summit-caldera-looking-east—now have a temperature scale. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of crater at the summit of a volcano

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A view of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the southwest caldera rim on May 10, 2024. While seismicity has been elevated in the south caldera and upper East Rift Zone in the past week, nothing unusual was observed on the surface today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of inactive volcanic vent and lava flows at base of crater

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A close up of the cone that formed in the June 2023 eruption, at the southwest end of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava from the vent poured into a ponded region, which later drained as the eruption waned. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

May 8, 2024 — May 8, 2024 Kīlauea gravity survey

Color photograph of scientist measuring gravity on volcano — An HVO scientist takes gravity measurements at a benchmark near a crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

Color photograph of instruments measuring gravity on volcano

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Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. In this way, gravity is a way of detecting changes in the magma reservoir that might otherwise be hidden. This photo shows two gravimeters used one-at-a-time to take measurements. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

Color photograph of instrument on a lava flow

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On May 8, 2024, HVO staff conducted a gravity survey around Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea) in response to current unrest and to supplement a larger survey done in March 2024. Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, these routine microgravity surveys help the observatory to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes occurring below the surface. This photo shows a gravimeter taking measurements near the rim of Kīlauea caldera. USGS photo by A. Ellis.